Split follower



(No Model.)

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SPLIT FOLLOWEB.

(Application filed Mar. 25, 1899.)

Patented June 6, I899.

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UNtTn STATES ATENT Price.

JEREMIAH n. COLLINS, or BROCKION, MASSAOIIUSE'lTS.

SPLIT FOLLOWER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 626,366, dated June 6, 1899.

Application filed March 25,1899. Serial No. 710,457. (No model.

T0 to whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JEREMIAH F. Counts, of Brockton, in the county of Plymouth and State of Massachusel ts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Split F0llowers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a split follower the fore part of which is divided longitudinally into two sections, which are separable to limited extent to distend or widen the fol .lower and are yieldingly forced apart by springs so that the fore part may fill shoes of different widths and measurements.

The invention also relates to a split follower which is transversely divided, having a heel part hinged to the fore part in such manner that the follower may be shortened and the fore part contracted by swinging the heel-section up, thus enabling the follower to be readily inserted in and removed from a boot or shoe.

The present invention has for its object to provide a split follower having a distensible fore part and a hinged heel part and means operated by the movement of the heel part from its operative position to contract the fore part, so that when the heel part is swung forward and upward preparatory to the removal of the follower from a boot or shoe the fore part will be positively contracted by the same operation,and thus enabled to be readily withdrawn, the fore part being held in its contracted position so long as the heel part remains in its displaced position, thus enabling the fore part to be inserted in the shoe while contracted and then expanded when the heel part is swung downwardly to its operative position in the shoe.

The invention consists in the improvements which I will now proceed to describe and claim.

Of the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a split follower embodying my invention, the heel part being shown in full lines in its operative position and in dotted lines in its raised or inoperative position. Fig. 2 represents a top view of the follower, the heel part being in its operative position. Fig. 3 represents a top view showing the heel partswnng upward and forward to contract the fore part, the heel part being shown in section taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 represents an elevation of the rear end of the forepart section, showing the same compressed, and also showing the hinge member belonging to the heel-section, the latter be ing removed. Fig. 5 represents a perspective view of the hinge which connects the fore part and heel portions. Figs. 6 and 7 represent.perspective views of the hinge members attached to the fore part.

The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in all the figures.

Referring to the drawings, in the embodiment of my invention therein shown and selected by me for the purpose of illustration the fore part of myim proved split follower is divided longitudinally from top to bottom into two sections a a. The heel part b is made in a separate piece. The divided fore part and the heel part are connected by a hinge having suitable provisions not only for permitting the heel part to swing into and out of a shoe, but also for permitting the sections'a a to be forced apart by a spring or springs c, interposed between said sections to distend or widen the fore part when the heelsection is swung down and the springs permitted to act, so that the fore part may automatically conform to and fill shoes of different widths and measurements.

Means are provided arranged to be operated by the displacement of the heel part from the operative position shown in full lines in Fig. 1 to that shown in dotted lines in the same figure to positively move the fore-part sections inwardly or toward each other, as shown in Fig. 3, said means being preferably parts of the hinge that connect the fore part with the heel part. As here shown, said hinge comprises a plate or member d, adapted to be screwed or otherwise affixed to the heel part 1), two ears d d, formed on said plate and separated by an intervening space,oppositelyacting cams (Z (1 formed on the inner ends of said ears, and a pintle d afliXed to the ears d and extending across the space between the cams d (1 Each of the fore-part sections is provided with ahinge member comprisinga plate 6, adapted to bescrewed or 0therwise aflixed to one of the fore-part sections. Each plate 6 has an ear 6, through which the ICO pintle d loosely passes, so that the ears 6 are adapted to move laterally toward and from each other on the said pintle, thus permitting the distention and contraction of the fore part. The ears 6 are provided with recessed faces or cams 6 which conform in shape to the cam (1 said cams d and a being formed so that when the heel part is swung upward and forwardthe sections of the fore part will be moved together by the action of the cams, as shown inFig. 3, and when the heel partis swung downward to its operative position the sections of the fore part will be permitted by the cams to assume the positions shown in Fig. 2. After the follower is in place in the shoe the connection between the fore part and heel part is such that the heel part is maintained in position against accidental displacement, as will be evident, since in order to displace the heel part it is necessary to contract the fore part by engagement of the cams. It will be seen, therefore, that when the followeris in place in a boot or shoe, the heel part being in its operative position, the fore part is distended and its sections pressed outwardlyby the springs against the inner surface of the upper. It will also be seen that the upward and forward movement of the heelsections preparatory to removing the follower from the shoe contracts the fore-part section, thus permitting its practically unobstructed withdrawal from the shoe without interfering with the upper or lining, the insertion of the fore part into the shoe while the heel part is thus displaced being correspondingly unobstructed, while theadmission of the heel part to its operative position after the insertion of the fore part into the shoe releases the fore part and permits its distension by the springs 0. Furthermore, as already stated, the construction is such as to maintain the heel part in its operative position against accidental displacement.

i represents a plate affixed at t" to the bottom of the section Ct, extending partially across the bottom of the section a. Said plate has a slot 2' through which passes a pin or stud i affixed to the section a. Said pin and the end of the slot constitute stop members, which limit the separation or distension of the fore part by the springs c.

Having thus explained the nature of my invention and described a Way of constructing and using the same, thoughwithout attempting to set forth all the forms in which it may be embodied or all the modes of its use, I declare that what I claim is 1. A split follower comprising a heel part, a sectional distensible fore part hinged to the heel part, and means operated by the displacement of the heel part from its operative position for positively contracting the fore part.

2. A split follower comprising a heel part, a sectional fore part, and fore-part contracting and distending means arranged to contract the fore part when the heel part is moved from its operative position and distend the fore part when the heel part is returned to its operative position.

3. A split follower comprising a heel part, a divided fore part, a hinge connecting the heel part to the divided fore part and having provisions for movingthe sections of the fore part laterally to contract the fore part when the heel part is displaced from its operative position, and means for yieldingly distending the fore part.

4. A fore part comprising a plurality of forepart sections movable laterally toward or from each other, means for separating said sections, a heel-piece loosely connected to said fore-part section and movable upward and forward, and means on the heel-piece for positively moving the fore-part sections inwardly when the heel is moved upward and forward.

5. A split follower comprising a heel part, a sectional fore part, a fore-part contracting and distending means, arranged to contract the fore part when the heel part is moved from its operative position, and distending the fore part when the heel part is returned to its operative position, said means being further arranged to prevent accidental displacement of the heel part when in operative position.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JEREMIAH F. COLLINS.

Witnesses:

O. F. BROWN, A. D HARRISON. 

